Your Wi-Fi is being killed by 5 common items - check your broadband router and move it now

Things such as microwave ovens, TVs and being popped inside a cupboard can all hurt the connection but there are plenty of other common items that could be wreaking havoc with your broadband.

The offer some help, the team at Broadband Savvy has just released new guidelines about what's bad for the signal and it's worth taking note as a small change could seriously speed things up.

So, if you want a better connection, here are some of the worst offenders for breaking your broadband.

MIRRORS

They might help you check your evening outfit or see if you are having a good hair day, but mirrors aren't Wi-Fi's best friend, and that's not great, considering how many we all have dotted around our homes.

"If you have the wrong type of mirror in the wrong place, this can wreak havoc on your WiFi signal," Tom Paton, founder of broadbandsavvy.com, explained.

"Mirrors don't just reflect visible light — they reflect invisible frequencies as well, including WiFi. It's actually the metallic backing inside the mirror which is responsible for all the reflections, and depending on the thickness, and the angle it's mounted at, this material can send WiFi signal straight back where it came from."

"If you have a mirror on a wall on the edge of the house, this won't cause WiFi problems, because the signal doesn't need to pass through — it being reflected isn't an issue. The problem arises when you have a mirror on an internal wall that WiFi needs to get through, especially if it's near your WiFi router."

PLANTS

They make your house feel more homely, but plants can suck the life out of the Wi-Fi signal. The worst vegetation is those that are dense, as they can block the router and slow down speeds.

"Most plants are made up of about 80-90% water. So, if you have a large, dense houseplant near your router, it can absorb WiFi signal," said Paton

"Often, there is enough free air around the foliage for WiFi signal to pass through. However, if the plant is dense enough, it can begin to soak up WiFi signal, depending on where it's located. We recommend keeping any potted plants at least a few feet away from your router, and if you have any dense houseplants, try to avoid putting them in between your router and your online devices."

FISHTANKS AND VASES

"Water acts like a sponge for WiFi signal. If you have a big container of liquid near your router, such as a fish tank, this can wreck your WiFi speeds."

"This is a particular problem if you have a large aquarium. In this case, the tank can almost act like an impenetrable wall for WiFi signal, blocking any devices on the other side from getting decent download speeds."

"Other large water containers can also pose a problem — vases are a common culprit. Small vases shouldn't cause a big issue, as long as they're at least six feet away from the router. However, if you have a big one, try to position it so that your WiFi signal doesn't have to pass through the vase to reach your smart TV, laptop, or Xbox."

BABY MONITORS

You won't want to be without one if you have a new addition to the family but keep baby monitors away from your router. When these devices transmit or receive data, it can interfere with your WiFi signal.

"Many baby monitors, especially older ones, use the 2.4Ghz signal band — the same frequency used by WiFi. So when your baby monitor is in use, you might notice that further away devices from the router can no longer get online, and you might also experience slower download speeds."

"We have also seen neighbours' baby monitors cause problems in flats, terraces, and semi-detached houses. If your neighbour uses the wrong model of baby monitor in the wrong place, this can ruin your WiFi from next door."

To overcome interference, the best solution is to change to a baby monitor model that does not use the 2.4GHz frequency band. It can also be helpful to separate the baby monitor and router as much as possible.